But I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Jn15:19 The servant is not greater than his lord, if they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you(v20) St. Paul says that any that should live godly in Christ will suffer persecution. Jesus gave us a new commandment to love as he loved. That means telling the truth to people, some of whom will accept the truth and many others who will reject the truth. If they kept my sayings they will keep yours also. Unless a person accepts the fact that he or she is under the curse and that only the blood of Christ saves, they will hate you for being chosen out of the world and preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ even when speaking the truth with love. We are called to love our enemies and to pray for them that despitefully use you. No one can do that in the kingdom of the world. Only people who have entered the kingdom of god can fulfill the royal commandment “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thy self” let alone love your enemies. Jesus demonstrated his love by healing the sick, feeding multitudes, raising the dead knowing full well that the world would reject him for envy. Yet he remained true to his call accepting death, the death of the cross, for the salvation of the world. Though he died for all, not all will enter into a new covenant with him. Rather than recognizing their own depravity and experiencing reconciliation through Christ, they reject the truth and posit theories which allow them to remain in sin like the lie “everyone goes to heaven” or “there are many paths to the Father” or God doesn't judge anyone” These theories surface when a person rejects the truth and if they reject the truth from Jesus, they reject the Father. They will also reject you for keeping his sayings. You can't be everyone's friend and remain true to the gospel. You can be a friend by speaking the truth in love and loving your neighbor as yourself but it will not always elicit a similar response. It certainly did not happen for Jesus. Though he came into the world to save it, not condemn it, the world condemned him. But you cannot be a friend if you accept error for the sake of popularity or to avoid persecution. If you choose to withhold the truth you are not a friend even though outwardly it appears that way. You may help their self esteem, you may improve their wealth in the world, you may encourage them and do many marvelous things but unless they forsake the world and follow Jesus, which means persecution and maybe death, you are not loving as Jesus loved. His love brought the rejection of the world not its sympathy. The gospel of Jesus Christ is not sugarcoated and easy to digest. It is not for the fearful and unbelieving or for teachers who tickle the ear. How about you? Where do you stand? He that is faithful to the end will be saved. Be faithful to God. amen |